PRESIDENT of Kingston & St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Ambassador Stewart Stephenson says he wants high quality action and exemplary sportsmanship to be a feature of the 2014-15 Jackie Bell Knockout competition.

“This competition is our flagship competition… the largest family competition that we run in the Corporate Area. We expect to see high quality football and good sportsmanship and for teams to obey and abide by the decisions [of the referees],” Stephenson said during yesterday’s launch at the Barbican Beach Complex in St Andrew.

In endorsing the tournament, Stephenson added that the Jackie Bell KO is the “most fitting” way to celebrate the “legacy” of Winthorpe ‘Jackie’ Bell.

Bell and Dennis Ziadie, both Jamaican football icons, died in a motor vehicle accident in Guadalajara, Mexico, in June 1986 after watching the Brazil versus France World Cup quarter-final game.

The KO football competition is set to begin with first-round action this Saturday and Sunday with matches starting at 3:00 pm. The second round is slated for the following weekend.

The seven Premier League teams from KSAFA receiving byes until the start of the third round.

The first-round draw for the other 30 active members of the association was done yesterday at Barbican Beach.

Stephenson is predicting that the attraction of the top-flight teams — Arnett Gardens FC, Harbour View FC, Barbican FC, Cavalier SC, Boys’ Town FC, Waterhouse FC and Jackie Bell title-holders Tivoli Gardens FC — will lead to strong spectator support towards the latter half of the Jackie Bell KO.

The semi-finals and final are scheduled for next January.

KSAFA has promised $400,000 to this season’s winners. The runners-up will be handed $250,000; the third-placed team $150,000; and the fourth-placed club $100,000.

Each participating team will be given $40,000 to secure playing kits for the competition.

The KSAFA boss revealed that the budget for the running of the KO tournament is $3 million. He said corporate partners contributed $2.33 million, leaving the association to cover the outstanding amount.

“We have garnered contributions from our corporate donors of $2.33 million and KSAFA will underwrite $670,000. We don’t have a difficulty with that because we raise funds particularly at the quarter-finals, semis and final and we are expecting further contribution from corporate donors,” he said.

Jackie’s widow, Lorna Bell, who provided a cheque said to be from various sponsors, said in a “time when cash is scarce, to secure sponsorship of Jackie Bell KO is heart-warming”.

Stephenson said other contribution came from Barbican Beach and Avis Bargain car rental, but declined to provide a breakdown of the overall value. It is understood that the donation from Avis amounts to $300,000.